Trouble with new system build

Darkst4r · 15 Apr 2010 at 20:21

Hi, I started building my first PC but have ran into a problem, I did the assembly and set the bios to boot from CD, got to the windows region and language selection but about 30 seconds into the install the animated aero cursor freezes and I cannot move it with the mouse, the sytem seems to freezer and I cant get any further. I am upgrading from a Pentium 4 to an AMD 955, the system is entirely new apart from the PSU and the HDD. The HDD is from my old machine and still has the old Win 7 operating system that I had with my p4, could this be a problem as I am now using a different chipset ? Should I really start with a pre-formatted HDD incase its something to do with the different processor info on the drive ?

Also my old PSU is a 405watt Jeantech unit, could it be lack of power ?

The rest of my spec is as follows:

AMD Phenom II 955 be
ASUS M4A785TD-V EVO
4 GB OCZ Platinum pc3-12800 4GB DDR3 ram (OCZ3P16004GK) is this definately AMD compatible ?
1 x CD drive
1x sata HDD drive

Im using the onboard card.

Ive got the RAM plugged into DIMM A1 and B1 if that makes a difference ?

Any help in getting my system up and running would be great, Thanks in advance.

Noob in distress.

Darkst4r · 15 Apr 2010 at 20:49

I had the RAM in slots A1 and A2 to start with but got no signal or output to my monitor.

Darkst4r · 15 Apr 2010 at 20:52

Which slots are correct ? A1,B1 OR A1,A2 ?

Darkst4r · 15 Apr 2010 at 20:56

OK so the RAM is definately compatible and in the right slots? Should I try totally wiping my HDD and formatting it incase for some reason the old Intel data is causing a problem with the new AMD chipset ? I would have thought I could format using the installation CD but could that help ?

Darkst4r · 15 Apr 2010 at 22:10

Ok I'm stumped. I tried formatting a HDD and doing a fresh install and the aero cursor still freezes and hangs just after the language select screen. I've tried almost every different RAM slot combination and even with just a 2 gig stick installed and still the same problem. Tried 2 different CD drives too and the Windows disk in a separate machine.

Could it be a faulty part ie the processor, RAM or MOBO ? How can I narrow it down ? The CPU is picked up correctly in the bios, as is the ram in the correct quantity.

Darkst4r · 15 Apr 2010 at 22:17

RJC said:
If it's this ram then it should be compatible

Its not the AMD edition but is similar, its part number OCZ3P16004GK, I've seen it on another site and it says "takes full advantage of the capabilities of the Intel P35 and X38 Express chipsets. At 1600MHz, the OCZ PC3-12800 Platinum and is rated to run CL7-7-7 to truly take these next generation platforms to new heights" , could it be that it isnt compatible atall with AMD chips ? I would have though dual channel ddr3 at the rated speed would be fine.[/QUOTE]

Darkst4r · 15 Apr 2010 at 22:18

dandos23 said:
Check your RAM support list, I cant find your RAM on it.

Theres loads of RAM not on the list that apparantly does work though, I dont think that list is complete, just a rough guide.

Darkst4r · 16 Apr 2010 at 01:00

You guys are fricking awesome, I looked in the bios and the RAM was only running at 1.5 volts, I manually changed it to 1.75 and it worked like a charm. Cheers guys, you have no idea how chuffed I am

Darkst4r · 16 Apr 2010 at 01:03

I have noticed that my PF data usage has sky rocketed to double the usual though. Is this because I upgraded to 64 bit ? I also have 2 sets of program files now, program files and a program files x86. Is this usual for 64bit Windows ?